Gainsborough Hotel

The creak of floorboards in a Victorian railway hotel, the hiss of a radiator on a damp morning, the warmth of shelter when the fells have turned fierce — Gainsborough Hotel is the kind of place walkers stumble into with grateful sighs.

This works brilliantly for hikers, cyclists, and anyone choosing four walls over canvas when the Lake District weather turns. With both camping pods for those wanting a touch of outdoors and hostel beds for proper refuge, it bridges the gap between wild camping and a full hotel stay. It's a practical base in a region that draws serious walkers and casual ramblers alike, where having options matters more than Instagram-perfect pitches.

Expect simple shelter rather than luxury — this is a place built around function and warmth after a long day on the trails. Dogs are welcome by arrangement, and campfires depend on what's sensible when you arrive, so check in first. Open all year, it's the sort of honest, unpretentious spot that gets repeat bookings from people who value a dry bed and a hot shower over fairy lights and glamping extras.